DoD's $11.6M Learning Enclave Contract Awarded to Lockwood Hills Federal LLC for R&D Support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,579,450 ($11.6M)

Contractor: Lockwood Hills Federal LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2023-11-18

End Date: 2025-11-17

Contract Duration: 730 days

Daily Burn Rate: $15.9K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: SYSTEMS ENGINEERING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE SUPPORT SERVICES: DOCUMENTATION, COORDINATION, MODERNIZATION, DEPLOYMENT, AND SUSTAINMENT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE LEARNING ENCLAVE.

Place of Performance

Location: ALEXANDRIA, ALEXANDRIA CITY County, VIRGINIA, 22311

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $11.6 million to LOCKWOOD HILLS FEDERAL LLC for work described as: SYSTEMS ENGINEERING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE SUPPORT SERVICES: DOCUMENTATION, COORDINATION, MODERNIZATION, DEPLOYMENT, AND SUSTAINMENT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE LEARNING ENCLAVE. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on R&D support for the DoD Learning Enclave, encompassing documentation, modernization, and deployment. 2. Lockwood Hills Federal LLC is the sole awardee, raising questions about competition and potential price discovery. 3. The contract's value of $11.6M over two years requires scrutiny for cost-effectiveness and taxpayer impact. 4. NAICS code 541715 suggests a focus on physical and engineering sciences research and development.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract's pricing is not benchmarked against similar contracts due to limited competition. Further analysis is needed to determine if the fixed price is competitive.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not available for competition, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and may result in a less competitive price for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition for this $11.6M contract raises concerns about potential overspending and the efficient use of taxpayer funds.

Public Impact

Enhances critical R&D infrastructure for the Department of Defense. Supports modernization and deployment of advanced learning environments. Ensures sustainment of vital documentation and coordination services. Impacts personnel training and technological advancement within the DoD.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Sole-source award limits competition.
  • Lack of available pricing data for benchmarking.
  • Potential for reduced price discovery.

Positive Signals

  • Supports critical DoD R&D functions.
  • Long-term sustainment of learning enclave.
  • Firm fixed price contract type.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the Research and Development sector, specifically NAICS 541715. Spending in this sector is crucial for technological advancement but requires careful oversight to ensure value for money.

Small Business Impact

The awardee, Lockwood Hills Federal LLC, is not indicated as a small business. There is no information provided on subcontracting opportunities for small businesses on this contract.

Oversight & Accountability

The sole-source nature of this award warrants close oversight to ensure fair pricing and effective service delivery. Transparency in the justification for the sole-source award is essential.

Related Government Programs

  • Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
  • Department of Defense Contracting
  • Washington Headquarters Services Programs

Risk Flags

  • Sole-source award.
  • Limited price discovery.
  • Potential for cost overruns.
  • Lack of small business participation noted.
  • Need for robust performance monitoring.

Tags

research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-defense, va, delivery-order, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $11.6 million to LOCKWOOD HILLS FEDERAL LLC. SYSTEMS ENGINEERING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE SUPPORT SERVICES: DOCUMENTATION, COORDINATION, MODERNIZATION, DEPLOYMENT, AND SUSTAINMENT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE LEARNING ENCLAVE.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LOCKWOOD HILLS FEDERAL LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Washington Headquarters Services).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $11.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-11-18. End: 2025-11-17.

What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and what steps were taken to ensure the price is fair and reasonable?

The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, urgent needs, or lack of other responsible sources. Without specific details on the justification, it's difficult to assess the price reasonableness. The government should have conducted a price analysis based on historical data, market research, or cost proposals to ensure the firm fixed price is fair and reasonable, especially in the absence of competitive bids.

How does the cost of this contract compare to similar R&D support services, and what is the potential risk of overpayment due to the lack of competition?

Benchmarking is challenging without comparable sole-source contracts or competitive bids for similar R&D support services. The primary risk of overpayment stems directly from the lack of competition, which removes the incentive for the contractor to offer the lowest possible price. A thorough cost analysis by the agency is crucial to mitigate this risk and ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how will their effectiveness be measured to ensure the DoD Learning Enclave modernization and sustainment goals are met?

Effective oversight requires clearly defined KPIs tied to documentation quality, modernization timelines, deployment success rates, and system sustainment metrics. The contracting officer and technical monitors must rigorously track performance against these KPIs. Regular performance reviews and feedback mechanisms are essential to ensure Lockwood Hills Federal LLC is meeting its obligations and contributing to the overall effectiveness of the DoD Learning Enclave.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical ServicesScientific Research and Development ServicesResearch and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT)PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: HQ003421R0169

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Nana Regional Corporation, Inc.,

Address: 2553 DULLES VIEW DR STE 700, HERNDON, VA, 20171

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $25,446,397

Exercised Options: $11,609,151

Current Obligation: $11,579,450

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HQ003421D0014

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline

Start Date: 2023-11-18

Current End Date: 2025-11-17

Potential End Date: 2026-11-17 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2025-09-26

More Contracts from Lockwood Hills Federal LLC

View all Lockwood Hills Federal LLC federal contracts →

Other Department of Defense Contracts

View all Department of Defense contracts →

Explore Related Government Spending